I’m falling in love. I know you’re gasping right now if you know me because you know what I always say about dating. “Ain’t nobody got time for that.” But it is the honest truth.
With every day that passes, I fall a little deeper.
I’m falling in love with a lot of things really.
I could go on and on about all the beautiful things I’ve seen and experienced this year that have sparked new life in me but I will only share one with you today. And it may be one of the most important things that I’m falling in love with.
It all started in Thailand.
Pattaya, Thailand. May 2018.
Mission: Passing out Chinese Bibles
I know I’ve shared with you already about our ministry while in Thailand, but I wanted to tell you how it has changed me.
Imagine this: you, a privileged white American, standing on a pier in Thailand, where thousands upon thousands of Chinese tourists pass by. every. single. night.
It doesn’t sound real does it? But it was reality for 3 and a half weeks for my team.
We would go out three nights each week and pass out Bibles to the tourists. By the end of our time, more than 5,500 Chinese Bibles had been passed out.
But it wasn’t the number that changed me.
What changed me was the way that they received the Bibles. They would read the “Free Christian Bible” signs that we held and hear our feeble attempts at speaking Mandarin and they would come full speed to us to get a Bible. Little old men and women would sprint as fast as their legs would carry them to us, tears streaming down their faces, and give us the biggest hugs. They took pictures with us and some even asked us to sign the inside cover of their Bible.
They were HUNGRY for the Gospel and the moment that we would hand it to them they would open it up and start reading.
Forgetting why they were on the pier, Bible in hand, they would sit down and begin reading.
One word for you: CONVICTED.
As Americans, we forget our freedom too often. I have Bibles of all shapes, sizes, and versions on my shelf at home. Yet, do I approach them with the same joy and fervor that these people were running to me?
Do I run to the Word like these people did?
Each and every time that these Chinese tourists ran towards me my heart ached and longed for the same attitude.
Last week I read Psalm 119 one morning and it reminded me yet again of those Chinese tourists and their passion for the Word.
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (11)
“I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.” (25)
“I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.” (28)
“Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life through your word.” (37)
“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” (45)
“I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.” (81)
“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (103)
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (105)
“You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.” (114)
“I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.” (162)
It was hard for me not to just copy and paste all of Psalm 119 into my blog but if you are anything like me you might not want to take the time to read it.
I’ve been a fan of Scripture for a while now, but let me tell you… I’m falling in love with it.
When I’m on the mountaintop and can’t express the joy that I feel, I can find it in Scripture.
When I am in the midst of spiritual warfare, I can take up my sword and fight.
When I am lacking wisdom, I turn to His word and I ask for it.
When I feel the pains of walking on these old hips, I turn to His words for comfort.
When I need to be reminded why I’m here, I can find my purpose in the Words He has given to us.
Are you without joy? Are you lacking in wisdom? Are you confused or alone? Are you feeling the weight of the world around you? Are you tired of the same old same old?
Turn to Jesus. Open the Word. Find your joy and your hope and your encouragement in the promises that God has given us.
I have fell in love with the sweet words that our Savior has given us.
I hope that you fall too.
Until next time,
Shelby
